The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-06-25
GRAND JURY REPORT
VI FOR THE
May Term of the Circuit Court for Ba1ti-
more County.

To the Ho.,orGJLe, the J,s 'ges of the Circuit
Court for baltimore County: ,oo-
The Grand Jury for the May term, 1887, desire
to submit the following report: We have been in
session rs days, docketed 214 cases, examined $40
witnesses, found 122 presentments, 103 true bills,
dismissed 90 cases, released from Jail prisoners
and ignored 20 cases.
Our time, like that of many of the Grand
Juries preceding us, was largely taken up with
violations of the Sunday laws. These violations
have become so notorious in certain parts of the
county as to attract the attention of the press and
all worthy people lying in the asigbbosheagad ,s
Will certainly produce @ contempt for all law
Every effort should be made by all of the authori-
ties, particularly of the police force, while these
laws remain on our statute books, to enforce them
strictly as any other law of the land. 1t has
been shown to the present Grand Jury that several
race courses open on Sunday and the time
made by the horses reported in the daily papers
on Monday morning. That theatrical perform
ances, beer gardens, dance houses, &C., are in full
flush ON Sunday. That clubs, organized for the
express purpose of evading these laws, with very
loose rules and methods for increasing their men,
bership, in existence and open on Sunday,
whilst the aw-abiding saloon keeper must keep
his place closed. These places are resorted to by
people from Baltimore who cannot find the same
entertainment in their own city, according to the
testimony of their Marshal of Police, who ex-
amined by us upon this subject. These things
prove to US that whilst the county police force
contains many worthy and efficient officers, some
of whom have been before us, as whole it is in
efficient and the sum of twenty five thousand dol
lars expended for its maintenance every year is
wasted. This result is due in a great extent to
the want of system and organization, many of the
officers testifying to us that they had received no
orders to suppress these violations of the law from
the Marshal of Police of Baltimore county, in
marked contrast with the strict instructions given
by the Marshal of Baltimore to his subor1inates
upon this subject We think with proper effort on
the part of the police these violations of the law
can be suppressed. Constabes in many cases in
formed US that they did not 60 away from home
on Sunday, but that they knew liquor was sold on
that day. We think all constables should be in
structed to examine the premises of all persons
holding ordinary licenses and see whether the
law in reference to having the necessary accom-
modations for man and beast is being complied
with. Many of the constables seem to be in doubt
as to their authority in this matter and it might
be necessary to ask for additional legislation.
committee visited the almshouse and we re-
spectfuy call your attention to the report here
with submitted. The recommendations made
by the Grand Jury of the December term in refer
ence to accommodations for the insane are fully
concurred in by this Jury. We cannot see why
proposals for all supplies to this institution, as
we'll as the jail should not be advertised for and
the bid of the lowest responsible bidder be &C.
cepted.
The Grand Jury visited the jail in body, with
out giving the Sheriff any notice of our intention
to do so, consequently have right to conclude
that the clearly condition in which we found il
was its usual condition. Clean as we found it, il
is the unanimous opinion of the Jury that the
building is disgrace to Baltimore county. We
found thirty prisoners confined in twenty -four
cells, and we are informed this is rather smaller
number than usual. The total space for exercise
is brick paved area only 35x24 feet. Into this,
at certain hours of the day, all the prisoners must
BE- aamqRss AtJf Gle Gle " atsf
closets in the cells are exposed and seem to leak
in many places, dropping into this brick area, and
there must be more or less foul gas. The masonry
of the walls is very poor and none of the cells are
secure. The floors of some of the cells are really
below the surface of the ground and receive some
of the drainage from it. This building is unsafe
unhealthy and in every way behind the age and
behind the jails of neighboring counties It is
the unanimous opinion Of this Jury that it is a
waste of money to attempt to repair it, and that
steps should be at once taken to build new one.
| We desire to call the attention of the proper
authorities to the loose manner of making commit
ments by some of the magistrates. Many of them
have been sent to us without single witness
Particularly is this the case with persons arrested
for vagrancy. They are sometimes confined in
Jail for long time without any proof against
them.
committee made q thorough examination of
the books of the Treasurer. The report of the
same is herewith submitted.
We desire to thank your Honors, the States
Attorney and other officers of the Court for their
uniform kindness and assistance to US.
WALTER S. FRANKLIN, Foreman.